C3 neXt generation: the Song page and the new Banner feature!

Another week, another update on what we're working on to make C3X the best project ever! This week we not only discover more of the new database but we will also take a look at a game-changer for any author that will make players happy too...

C3db: how it works and the Song screen
Last week we've taken a look at the song list screen but we left out a couple of structural important details.

An URL for every purpose
You will be able to access the new database using the db.c3universe.com/song/ scheme. Each song has an ID, like this

This URL will show all versions of the song, including game formats (Xbox 360, PS3, Clone Hero, etc.) and alternate versions (2x bass pedal, etc.). But what if, as an author, you want to link to a specific file directly? Simple:

And what if you want to link to all versions of a game format? Here it is:

When you browse for songs, you also have the ability to browse for songs or for files. If you browse for songs, you get one record per song; if you browse for files, every file gets its own record. The database also conveniently offers game formats views, so you can browse only songs available for your preferred game format:

The Song page
One thing lacking in the current database is a proper song screen. Here is what the new one looks like:
Any information about the song is now in a single page that is also easier on the eye. One very cool thing though is the related content feature:

Whenever a song you're checking out is part of an album for which other songs are available, by any author, this panel will let you know and you can simply click on any song to download it. But wait, there's more!
The same goes for songs by the same artist! This way you can rediscover so much great content added to our DB over the course of the recent years. And when you're ready to download...
Every version has its own button. Simple, right?

Thank you for your service Visualizer: introducing the new Banners
Whether you're an author or a player you are very familiar with the Visualizer. It's that great image that shows album art, title, artist, difficulties and other information about the song. To create one you need to load a CON file in C3 CON Tools, let the tool produce it, get the link and share it. We all love the Visualizer but with C3X we've set out to change things and we have developed a new and better way to convey information about a song: please meet the new Banner...

While we are still developing the design and this is not a 100% definitive version, this is what the new Banners will more or less look like. As you can see, there's a on of information, including rating icon, author's avatar and a cool game formats bar where logos of the various games light up if the song is available for that format. Here are a few examples of the new Banners with various difficulties, title length, etc.:

Now, here is the REALLY cool thing about these: you don't have to make them. That's right: if you upload any song to C3U, you can get the Banner for that song by simple pressing a button in the DB! This way, sharing information about your song is even simpler!

The new Banner feature would not have been created without BornGamerRob, who designed the entire banner down to the new awesome instrument icons: his work is amazing and we're so glad he volunteered so much of his time. Thank you so much to Drummerockband too who helped us refine the design and produced a first version that helped us focus on what we need to get in. And stay tuned because we just might have some more surprises for you here...